Compacting press



Allg- 5, 1952 H. G. BELL ET AL 2,605,697

COMPACTING PRESS Filed June 4, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORN EYS.

H G. BELL ET AL COMPACTING PRESS Aug. 5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1949 INVENTORS.

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s Y E N r T A Allg' 5 1952 H. G. BELL E1' AL 2,605,697

COMPACTING PRESS Filed June 4, 1949 3 Sheets-'sheet 3 /ff NVENToRS.

I Hna-KY Garne/5551.4, Ell'u Awww, @m45 am; J?.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 5, 1952 COMPACTINGV" PRESS vHarry 'Guthrie Bell, Paris, and Jaeobfnouglas Gay, Jr., Lexington, Ky., fassignorsto Gay-Bell Corporation, Kentucky Paris, Ky., a `corporation .of

Application Iune 4, 194?,'Serial`No.97,264

AQur invention relates to-a compacting press for compacting orcompressing material leither .in balesfor V-in aecontainerand.. it isparticularlylapplicable -for oompacting :cured tobacco V'in a hogshead.

Whilefwe do Anot intend to limit 1ourselves Jto :a compacting press Vfor VVcompressing curedftobacco in -a hogsheadf WeW'ill refer tothe -presslinthis connection inthe draw-ings'and-the following description since I it' is merely-exemplaryof alluse of our press.

In the transporting 'and storage ofcuredl-'tobacco, it is usually placed in a cylindricalv hogshead'havinga Afiat'- 'bottomfand va rflat top.- The tobacco is placed in-ethehogshead before the top lapplied vand usually-a-f'unnel Ydevice isplaced oventhetop'of the'l'iogshe'a-d to hold't-hetobacco, which is to be compacted into the hogshead, but 'whichA in its loose-state, of course, takes upfvery muchmoretcubic 'space vthan `the ycubic -overall Vof the hogshead. The hogshead, with its funnellike device, and-'theloose tobacco, is placed under the Tam of a hydraulic press witlrthe lid usually positioned4 `between the-'face of theram #andthe tobacco. As vtlie 'ram' is brought down,V compacting'the' tobacco'an'd" forcing it into the interiorjof the hogshead tlie` cover'isicarried-'down with it and"fastenedimposition.

'Infthe' usual"practice, these' presses are complicated' and porrderous stationary --structures -to 11- Claims. (o1. A1cm-fum) which the material and the unlled containers tainers are transported 'to a position 'under Vthe ramlof` the press. f Y

f It visfa furtherobject of our invention l-to vprovidea press as described-above whichfcompresses the cured tobacco while -the'tobacco alone, tor containedlinahogsheacL is mounted cnal dolly or ltruckV for transporting the same, #and which is 'provided 4Awith means-under Athe *ram of A-the press 'forbasing -'the 'door ci" thedolly ortruckfon an anvil, lor the like, so as Ito; removel any portion .of `the pressure 'of the downwardly 4in ovnggram fromfthe vcasters Aor wheelsrof the -dolly; all-withf out the necessity of removing the tobaccoor hogsheadfrom the dolly. j

-It fis a :further object of our invention to yprof vide'apressfas described-above which is coinpaot, portable; and :self-contained, `and -wherein the only connection to any permanenter 'outside source is Aan electrical connection in the event fan electric motor is used to:actuate"tlie device, 'while if 'a `gasoline-engine or4 lany'vother selfecontained power sourceis used in place of an-electricmoton thelpressneods no outsideconnections;at a1l. l v.These and 'other objects of our nventionwhich willbe set forth hereinafter. orrwill /Ybe -apparent to vone'skilleci lin the art upon reading these specifications, we 'accomplish'by thatcertainn con-f struction: and arrangement 4oiparts of which we shall now describe 'an exemplary :embodiment Reference is 'now made-to the drawings which form ak part hereof; andfin which:

Figure 1 is aiside velevation of'our novellpress. VFigure 2 is a ffront elevationof our novel press. Figure 3 .is afho'rizorital crossi-sectionofiour novel press taken onthe Vsectionline-f33 of Figure 1 and` showing' the track'-construction.`

V,Figure '4is-a vertical cross section of the lower portion off ourzntrvelLpressztakenon` the section line -ilofrFgureB. i Figure" 5 is aesection simi1ar'-toFigure '4F with the tracksraised. y

Figure 6 risa cross sectionfoi?'tracksand-'end projecting upwardly fro'mtlietracks'lis'provided belowthelram. *Thetracksvwliich guideitlieifdolly are 2 normally iat ii'oor levelibutfmay befraised 'to apoint ab'ovethey anvil or support :so that 'the dolly carrying thefm'ateriali'may beroll'edfintoi position .over "the support whereupon" the tracksare-lowere'd and the :bottom ofthe dollystraddles" and-rests on thesup'port 'with its zzcasterslor. Wheels rout Lofi conta'ctwithltheitrack. Thus the floqryofltherdouy,actsasfthebasezorranviiagainst which' the pressure of lthe *downwardly-moving ram is-applied 1The lmovementofthestracks'is 3 attained by a framework which is fastened to the yoke of the ram so that the tracks are lifted upwardly when the ram reaches the highest part of its stroke.

In the description and in the drawings, we describe a press for compacting tobacco within a tobaccolhogshead v'and which is operated by a hydraulicmechanism. We do not intend to limit ourselves to a press for this specific purpose, since the press may be used for other purposes, nor do we intend to limit ourselves'to a press actuated by hydraulic means, since mechanical means or other means may be used for actuating our press.

Referring to the drawings, we provide a base f I which normally rests upon the floor of the Warehouse, but which is provided with wheels 2 to permit transporting of the devicefrom place to place. yoked portion 3 which accommodates the axle 4 of the hitch shown in Figure '7. The hitch has a bracket terminating in a saddle-shaped end portion 6 which ts over one of the rods 1 which joins the tracks 8 together and which will be described later.

The two portions of the base I are joined together by channel irons 9 and the necessary mechanism for controlling and providing the hydraulic force preferably comprising an electric motor IIJ, a pump I I, and a manually controllable valve xture I2 are conveniently mounted on the base I, as shown in Figure 3.

Fastened to and projecting upwardly from the channels 9 of the base I are two hydraulic cylinders I3. These cylinders I3 are based in their upright position by braces I4 running from the endsof the cylinders I3 to the ends of the base l. The cylinders I3 carry a hydraulically actuated piston from which projects piston rods I5. On the ends of the piston rods I5 is provided a bridging yoke I6 held in place by nuts I1 or in any other convenient manner. Projecting downwardly from the yoke IS is the ram of the press I8 which is preferably cylindrical informand of a diameter which will permit it to enter into the opening of a tobacco hogshead I9.

The connection between the hydraulic actuating and control devices 18,.' II, and I2 to the cylinders I3 is such that upon actuation of the manual control I2, Ythe control of viiuidto the cylinder I3 is such that the yoke lcarrying the ram I8 may be raised and lowered at will.

Positioned between the cylinders I3 are parallel tracks. 8. These tracks 8 are .joined together by rods 1 andare preferably split so that when they rest upon the floor as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 6, the channel irons 9 will not interfere with them.

Mounted on the channel irons 9 directly below the ram I8 is the anvil or dolly support 28. This dolly support 28 projectsV upwardly from the tracks 8 when these tracks are .at floor level and this support 20 provides a flat surface upon which the oor 2I of the dolly 22 may rest during the pressing operation. y

The tracks 8 each carry an-upwardly projecting A frame composed of slantingpieces 23 and a. top cross piece 24. The top cross piece 24 carriesia journal 25 which slidably surrounds the cylinders I3. A second journal 26 surrounding the cylinders I3 is positioned just above Athe tracks 5 and welded to the tracks by way of a iish plate 21. There are straps 28 running from the journal 25 to the journal 26 so as to make the A frame a sturdy and rigid structure which lsvertically slidable upon the cylinders I3.

One end of the base l has a cut out Projecting downwardly from the yoke I8 are a series of rods 2S. These rods 29 are attached to the yoke I8 and slide into holes in the cross section 24 of the A frame. The portion of the rods 28 which project below the cross bar 24 carry abutments in the form of nuts 30. The nuts 30 are adjustable up and down the rods 29.

The positioning of the nuts 30 on the rods 29 is such that when the yoke I6 reaches its uppermost position I6', the nuts 30 by means of the rods 29 will lift the A frame by way of its top cross piece 24 to the position shown in broken l lines, as 24 in Figure 1. The adjustment of nuts 38 is such that when the A frame is lifted to the position 24', the tracks 8 will be above the surface of the anvil or support 28, as is indicated in Figure 5.

The operation of the above described device is as follows:

The container I9 which is loaded with the material to be Vcompacted is mounted on the dolly 2l. The yoke I6 of the press is lowered slightly from its uppermost position so that the tracks' 8 rest on the floor. The dolly 22 is then rolled on its casters 2 I to the position shown in broken lines in Figure 4. Thereupon the yoke I6 is moved upwardly by hydraulic pressure to the position I8 in Figure 1, through the rods 29 and the A frame. The tracks 8 are thus raised to the position shown in Figure 5, with the tracks 8 above the surface of the support 20. In this position, the dolly 22 is rolled under the rain I8 so that it straddles the dolly 20, as shown in broken lines in Figure 5. The whole structure is ready now for the lowering of the ram I8 to compact the tobacco in the container I9, while in the position shown in Figure 5. As hydraulic' pressure is applied to lower the ram I8, the yoke IB lmoving downwardly lowers the tracks 8 to the floor as shown in Figure 6. This lowers lthe dolly 22 so that its floor 2l rests directly on the anvil or support 25 Aas shown in Figure 6, and hence the iioor of the dolly 2I bases itself against the anvil 20 to resistthe downward pressure of the ram I8 and the castersl 2`I of the dolly 22 are free and bear none of this strain.

The anvil or support 2 may be provided with small casters 3l which permit the exact positioning of the floor 2I of the dolly 22 after the ram. I8 has'progressed a short distance downwardly.

After the ram has completed its downward stroke and compacted the material and it has been secured, the ram I8 is moved upwardly and the preceding procedure is reversed. That is, when the ram I8 reaches the top of its stroke, the tracks 8 are lifted to the position shownl in Figure 5. This lifts the dolly 22 off the anvil 20 and permits it to be rolled off the anvil 20 to the position shown by the 'broken lines in Figure 4. Whereupon, the ram I8 and its yoke I6 is slightly lowered, thus placing the tracks flY at oor level and permitting the complete Yremoval of the dolly 22 with its load I9 and the replacement of a new dolly and load for treatment.

From the above it is apparent that Awe have provided a self-contained unitary and portable press for compacting material. We have pro-A vided means whereby material mounted upon a dolly may be readily positioned below the ram of the press and whereby the resistance to the pressure of the ram is borne by the floor of the dolly and not by the casters. We have provided a press where the control of the tracks which permits the above is accomplished by the actual asomar movement. of the l,rarnzitselfand :..wherein j the .whole .device `:is -rtrugged.. simple, and ,relatively easy.` .to yconstruct and .maintain and;- whichgmay be-.readily movable-from place to place.

1lt;.isapparent that .theA completestrain .of `the .in is. .tc-beuvnderstood that .different formspf .our preferred form :may .be made Without :5de- Aparting ,fromgthe ,spirit-.of our.. invention.

Havingthus .described" ourginventiongwhat. we

`.claim as .new andgdesire to secure by Letters .Patentisr 1. A press for compacting material on a dolly comprisingla..ramtmounted..on a yoke reciprocable.'over a. dolly,support. .dolly guiding tracks straddling said dolly support and provided with an upstanding frame, downwardly projecting rods .mounted on said yoke and sliding through a portion of said frame, and nuts o n a portionof the l rods within the frame so lthatupon a predeterlmined Aelevation of the ram the rods will engage the iframe and lift the tracks above the surface '.of. thezdolly. support.

'2. ,A pressiorcompacting 4material onta dolly comprising upwardly. 4projecting hydraulic cylinders ,mounted cna .baseiand .carrying recipro- -cating pistons `having rupwardlyprojecting piston rods, a yoke mounted on the ends of said piston rods and carrying a downwardly projecting ram, :a dolly support mounted below said ramand proljecting upwardly fromthebase, tracks straddling -the dolly support,a frame mounted on the tracks and slidably receiving said cylinders, downwardly projecting rods mounted on the yoke and projecting through apertures in the frame, and abutments mounted on the rods within the frame so that the terminal upward movement of the ram will cause the abutments to engage Athe frame .and lift the tracks above the dolly support.

A3. A .press for compacting material on 'a dolly -comprising upwardly projecting hydraulic cylinders mounted on .a base and carrying reciprocating v pistonsA having upwardly projecting piston -rods, a yoke mounted on the ends of said piston rods and carrying a downwardly projecting ram. a dolly support mounted below said ram and projecting upwardly from the base, tracks straddling the dolly support, a frame mounted on the tracks and slidably receiving said cylinders, downwardly projecting rods mounted on the ryoke and projecting through apertures in the frame, and abutments mounted on the rodswlthin the frame so that the terminal upward movement of the ram will cause the abutments to engage the frame. and lift the'ytracks above the dolly support, said press base being provided with casters permitting the movement of the press over a surface.

4. A press for compacting material on a dolly comprising upwardly projecting hydraulic cylinders mounted on a base and carrying reciprocating pistons having upwardly projecting piston rods, a yoke mounted on the ends of said piston rods and carrying a downwardly projecting ram, a dolly support mounted below said ram and projecting upwardly from the base, tracks resting on the baseand stradding the dolly support, a frame mounted on the tracks and slidably receiving said cylinders, downwardly projecting rods mounted l on the yoke and projecting through apertures in 6 the zframe.y andf.abutments mounted Y onilthe rods within-:the frame so that the iterminal :.,upward 'movement of; the .ram willcause. the abutmentsxto rvengage the iframe-and lift; the :tracks :.above' the .5 'ldolly.support,said.pressbeing movable; and h'av- `ing 5 a hydrauliczcompressori. and valve :mounted thereon.

5.,: Azpress'forcompacting material. on a, dolly comprisinga movable' base, 1 two lspaced iupwardly 10 projecting vhydraulic.cylinderswmountedgon said basa; piston Arods projecting upwardly: from :said cylinders and-:having a yoke :bridging theirzends, a downwardly projecting pressing ram mounted lonsaid yoke, .a .dollysupport mounted on .said

115 )oase below said'ra'm, tracksbetween the hydraulic.`

cylinders :and f '.fstraddling 1' the dolly .support for -guidinga dollyover said supportys'aid trackscarryingiga; frame !slidable on said cylinders, .and means." responsive '.to the -movement of the yoke for; raisingzandloweringfthe track above'and below. the surface .of` the :dolly support;

.;6..A presspforscompacting material on a dolly comprising a movablease, two spaced upwardly vprojecting hydraulic cylinders mounted on-said vk base; piston. rods .projecting upwardly `from said cylinders .andchaving a yoke 'bridging their ends, a downwardly iprojectingxpressing. ram mounted onsaid'yoke, a :dolly support mounted on-said .basebelow saidram,-1tracks between the hydraulic cylindersand' straddling the. dolly Vsupport `for v'guidinga dolly oversaid supportsaid tracks carrying .a'frame vslidable on said cylinders,1 and means responsive .to the .movement of the yoke lfor. raising and `loweringtl'ie trackabove .and

.35 :below thesurface of the dolly support, said means comprising'rodsmounted Aon said yokeV and slid- `ably.journaled yinea .portion of said Vframe yand having abutments thereon within said frame so that during a predetermined upward movement 40 of said rods the abutments willengage said frame andsaid frame and tracksl will be lifted by said abutments.

7. A press for compacting material on a dolly comprising a movable base, two spaced upwardly projecting hydraulic cylinders mounted on said base, piston rods projecting upwardly from said cylinders and having a yoke bridging their ends, a downwardly'projecting pressing ram mounted on said yokaja dolly support'mounted on said base below said ram, tracks between the hydraulic cylinders and straddling the dolly support for guiding a dolly over said support, said tracks carrying a -frame slidable on said cylinders, and means responsive lto the movement of the yoke forraising and lowering the track above and below the surface of the dollysupport, said means comprising rods mounted on saidyoke and slidably journaled in a portion of said frame and having abutments thereon within said frame so that during a predetermined upward movement of said rods the abutments will engage said frame andsaid frame and tracks will be lifted by said abutments, said abutments being movable along said rods.

8. A press for compacting material on a dolly comprising a movable base, two spaced upwardly projecting hydraulic cylinders mounted on said base, piston rods projecting upwardly from said cylinders and having a yoke bridging their ends, a downwardly projecting pressing ram mounted on said yoke, a dolly support mounted on said base below said ram, tracks between the hydraulic cylinders and straddling the dolly support for guiding a dolly over said support, said tracks carrying a frame slidable on said cylinders, and meansresponsive `to the move- .ment of theryo'ke for raising andA lowering the track above and below thesurface of the dolly support, Y`said means comprising rods mounted'on said yoke and slidably journaled in a portion of said frame and having Vabutrnents 'thereon within said frame so that during a predetermined upward movement of said rods the abutments` will engage said frame and said frame and tracks will be lifted by said abutments, said abutments being movable along said rods, and said movabler base having casters for moving the same upon a surface. l

9. A press for compacting material on a dolly comprising a movable base, two spaced upwardly projecting hydraulic cylinders mounted onsaid base, piston rods projecting upwardly frornsaid cylinders andhaving a yoke bridging their ends,

"a downwardly projecting pressing ram mounted on said yoke, a dolly supportmountedv .on said base below saidram, tracks between the hydraulic cylinders and` straddling the dolly support for guiding a dolly over said support, said tracks carrying a frame slidable on said cylinders, and means responsive to the movement of the yoke for raising and loweringV the track above and below the surface of the dollysupport, said means comprising rods mounted on said yoke and slidably journaled in `a portion of said frame and having abutments thereon withinsaid frame so that during a predetermined upward movement of said rods the'abutments will engage said fram-e and said frame and tracks will be lifted by said abutments, said abutments being movabie along said rods, said movable base having casters for moving the same upon a surface, and said dolly support having upwardly projecting casters.

,10. A press for compacting material on av dolly comprising a ram mounted onia yoke'and a dolly support over whichrthe ram is reciprocable,ver tically movable dolly' guiding .tracks straddling said dolly support, lost motion connecting means between said yoke and said dolly guidingk Vtracks so thatY upon a predetermined elevation ofthe ram and yoke said connecting means will lift the dolly above the surface of the dolly support.

11. A press for compacting material on a dolly comprising a ram and a dolly support over which the ram is reciprocable, vertically movable dolly guiding tracks straddling said dolly support, a linkagevmeans .between said ram and said dolly :guiding tracks so that upon a predetermined elevation of= the ram said linkage means will lift the track above the surface of the dolly support.

vHARRY GUTHRIE BELL,

JACOB DOUGLAS GAY, JR.

. REFERENCES CITED Y The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 'Y

UNITED `STA'IES PATENTS 

